Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Churchill Brothers were held to a 1-1 draw by Salgaocar Football Club in the Goa Professional League at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Thursday.
Red Machines’ Clencio Pinto’s 47th minute lead was cancelled out by Sanson Pereira in the 53rd minute.
Churchill Brothers started the match earnestly with Lalkhawpuimawia and Jovel Martins both testing the Salgaocar FC defence in the opening stages of the game.
Lalkhawpuimawia failed to make the best of the chances created by his teammates. Clencio Pinto set the striker in the box, but his feeble attempt was easily collected by the rival custodian.
Salgaocar FC used their pace to their advantage as Devendra was quick upfront and kept the rival defence on toes. Later, Churchill Brothers’ Glen played a long ball to Clencio Pinto who set up Lalkhawpuimawia but his low shot was collected by the keeper.
At the other end Salgaocar should have scored from a counter when Devendra played at the face of the goal which Stephen failed to connect. A slightest tap should have given them the lead.
Churchill also came close to scoring when Glen Martins played Lalkhawpuimawia in the box and the striker dribbled past couple of players before trying his luck but Salgaocar keeper saved it.
Churchill kept attacking as Clencio played a great ball for Lalkhawpuimawia who ran down some distance but his pass to Clencio was intercepted by Salgaocar defender. Lalkhawpuimawia should have tried it all by himself as he was clear at goal.
Crossing over, Churchill Brothers scored from their first attempt. It was a well build up goal which saw the Red Machines players play a good passing game before Wendell Coelho set up Israel Gurang on the right flank and the lad played a pin point cross to Clencio Pinto who was lurking the box and the last man placed the ball with a clean header in the far corner of the net, 1-0.
Salgaocar Football Club almost came with an instant reply, but Devendra Murgaonkar’s low effort was pushed for a corner by Churchill Brothers keeper Jaffar Mondal.
However it didn’t take long for the Green Brigades to equalize as Salgaocar skipper Sanson Pereira scored from a direct free-kick with a curling left foot strike which had no answer from the rival keeper, 1-1.
Salgaocar’s players — Chaitan Komarpant and Devendra Murgaonkar troubled the Churchill Brothers defense line with their pace and trickery.
Churchill Brothers’ Israel Gurung played well as he constantly played long ball in the rival half.
Salgaocar had a chance to take the lead when Devendra Murgaonkar ran down the left flank and pulled rival defenders on his side before squaring the ball to Denil Rebello, who had all the time to control, but the lad tried a first time shot which went way off target. The last man should have done much better with his attempt.
Later Churchill Brothers’ Jovel Martins set up Clencio Pinto in the box and the former Salgaocar player’s shot ballooned over the bar. Once again, the players weren’t taking the opportunities coming their ways.
Churchill Brothers squandered a glorious chance when second half substitute Kiwi’s effort was pushed by Salgaocar keeper Jason D’Mello into Israel Gurung’s path but the lad with the entire goal open shot wide.
At the other end, Churchill Brothers keeper Jaffar came with two great saves. He first denied Devendra Murgaonkar’s low shot which would have sneaked into the bottom left corner and later blocked Sanson Pereira’s left foot curler which was directed into the top right corner. Those were the two great saves in the span of two minutes.
Mondal came with another good save to deny Devendra Murgaonkar who cut past Ponif Vaz before striking on target.
